I read something today about being in darkness. It struck me. “Fall in love with the moon”, it said. There is beauty all around. Not only in the obvious breathtaking views and warm, easygoing island lifestyle. But also in the scariest of the snakes and spiders, in the depths of the lonely jungle, and in … Continue reading Darkness in Paradise
Author: natasha devalia
Author Poetry and Art books: ‘Tears and Grape Seeds’ 2025, ‘one touch of the rope’, 2024 and ‘Unseen Veins’, 2023
Zambian of South Asian descent, living in Thailand.
I write poetry, perform, and I’m currently an MFA (painting) student. The themes of my art whether expressed through movement, poetry, painting or as interdisciplinary forms include identity, belonging, mental health and family life.
Change is Inevitable
It’s been a period of change, intermingled with feelings of pain and loss. I cried. Yet I stand tall with my family. There is suffering. Yet I know that this too shall pass. Change is inevitable. The Bhagavad Gita, a great text, came to mind. Krishna, the teacher of teachers guided Arjuna, a warrior in … Continue reading Change is Inevitable
The Magical Unicorns: A Poem by Leila Rose Kassar
She sat on the bed and was rehearsing something. All of a sudden she recited this poem of hers. Leila is quite the dramatic one! Proud mummy moment: A poem by Leila Rose Kassar The Magical Unicorns High above the ground, I sailed. Helplessly. Helplessly. Floating along in my abandoned boat. Help! Help! In the … Continue reading The Magical Unicorns: A Poem by Leila Rose Kassar
A Period of Exploration
I stopped teaching yoga and dance about two years ago. Around then I had started to blame others and myself for my drawbacks, my paranoia was heightening, and I was grieving a friend. I felt that I was unfit to teach. Luckily I could easily slip out of teaching without affecting anything or anyone. Except … Continue reading A Period of Exploration
An Evening Together
My children continuously ask me to write about them on my blog. They look at old posts from a few years ago and find their stories funny and intriguing. At this point though I am reluctant to go into detail, out of respect for their privacy. I am sure they’ll come back to me one day … Continue reading An Evening Together
She is Compassion
“Have you seen my black top mum, the one with the short sleeves?” I scream across the corridor. “Yes, top right of your cupboard, third one in the pile.” That’s exactly where it was, but how did she know?! “I’m going out with some friends this evening, can I have some money please?” “Sure, when … Continue reading She is Compassion
Why Write? Why Share?
I have been sitting with my anxiety and feelings of guilt, shame, and of being judged. Because writing like this lately, about things so deeply personal has left me feeling exposed. Me, the secretive, very personal one. I am trying not to push the anxiety away nor will I let myself run with it. I … Continue reading Why Write? Why Share?
A Hidden Depression
I always feared that I would be called weak if I expressed any vulnerability. So instead, I put on a “strong” face at all times. The stronger I appeared to be, the less anyone guessed at my inner sadness, feelings of isolation, or hopelessness. Being third generation Southern Africans of Indian Gujarati descent we were … Continue reading A Hidden Depression
Because Life is Worth it
What if I hadn’t failed when I was 15 years old? What if I hadn’t come-to that night and immediately realized how precious this life is? I would never have met my husband, looked into my children’s eyes, spent time with many great teachers and friends. I would never have danced in Lebanon, or … Continue reading Because Life is Worth it
Running with my Partner
I started running around the age of ten. My dad would take me with him on his road runs in residential Lusaka, usually in the evenings after his workday. Soon I was old enough to go on my own and it became my thing. I joined the running club at school and on other days … Continue reading Running with my Partner
Natasha Devalia 